Download London Movember Centre of Excellence for Prostate Cancer Research

Cancer Research Imperial UK Centre | London Movember Centre
of Excellence for Prostate Cancer Research
PhD Studentship in Cancer Bioinformatics
Imperial College London
Hammersmith (East Acton) Campus, London
Applications are invited for a full time PhD studentship funded by Prostate Cancer UK,
commencing October 2016 for the project:
‘Analysis of predictive and prognostic miRNA-mRNA networks in prostate cancer’
The project will be based in the Department of Surgery and Cancer, a world leader in
cancer research, and is a collaboration between the Cancer Metabolism and Systems
Toxicology Group (led by Dr Hector Keun) and the Prostate Cancer Group (led by Prof
Charlotte Bevan). The student will gain special expertise in the areas of bioinformatics,
non-coding RNAs, cancer biomarkers and prostate cancer biology.
The Project: We desperately need better ways to identify which tumours are aggressive
and really need treatment, and in advanced disease which tumours are likely to be drug
resistant and which alternative treatment is likely to work.
A recently discovered class of
non-coding RNA molecules, called microRNAs, are potentially a rich new source of
biomarkers to use in such tests, particularly so as microRNAs released from the tumour
can be detected in the blood stream or urine. Current biopsy techniques are more invasive
and have potential side-effects. The student will conduct a comprehensive analysis of all
available data on microRNAs in prostate cancer in order to understand which are possible
new indicators of the presence of cancer, aggressive disease, and likelihood to benefit
from treatment. Our findings will be validated via access to unique experimental and
clinical datasets generated by the London Movember Centre.
Studentship Details: The award is for up to 48 months (full time) and covers course fees
at the Home/EU rates and a tax-free stipend of £18,000, rising to £19,500 in year 4, to
include a relevant Masters degree if applicable. Applicants must hold (or obtain by October
2016) a First Class or an Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent overseas
qualification) in a Life Sciences/Mathematics/Computational science discipline. Imperial
College would normally expect you to hold or achieve a Master's degree in a related field.
The studentship is ONLY open to UK and EU students and cannot be held by a non EU
Student.
For informal enquiries please contact Dr Hector Keun ([email protected]) and
Professor Charlotte Bevan ([email protected]). For application, please send
a full CV to include your nationality and full contact details of two academic referees to
[email protected]. We regret that due to the large volume of applications
received, we are only able to notify those shortlisted for interview. The deadline for
applications is 31st May 2016.